Obituaries

Teresa Kay Knight Gullett was born on September 15, 1956, in Sherman, Texas, and passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, in Sherman, surrounded by her loved ones, at the age of 69.

Teresa was preceded in death by her mother, Peggy Marie Knight; her father, Hubert Calvin Knight; her husband, Gary Gullett; and her brother, Kelly Calvin Knight.

She is survived by her sister, Beverly Sue Burchfield.

Her children include her son Douglas Ray Briggs and his wife, Miranda, and their children Breanna, Evan, and Cody; her daughter Erica Lynn Briggs and her children Hayley and Bryson; and her son Michael Ray Briggs and his children Molly and Nolyn.

She is also survived by her stepdaughters Hollie Sammons and her husband Billy, and their children Rylie, Kinlie, and Cason; and Lacy Roland and her husband Brian, and their children Emma, Hudson, and Waylon.

Teresa graduated from Howe High School in 1975. She began her career as an aide at Fred Douglass School in Sherman before completing her education degree at Texas Woman’s University. In 1991, she began teaching special education at Bells Elementary School, where she poured her heart into her students until her retirement in 2011. Even after retiring, Teresa couldn’t stay away from the classroom and continued working as a substitute teacher—mostly for Sherman ISD—until COVID brought that chapter to a close in 2020. After that, she devoted much of her time and love to caring for her mother, Peggy

During her teaching years, Teresa was deeply involved in assisting with Special Olympics and made sure she was always first in line to join the fifth graders on their annual trip to Camp Goddard. She was truly loved by every student who was lucky enough to have her as a teacher.

Above all else, Teresa loved her family—especially her grandchildren. She also had a huge heart for animals. Her dog Pippi, her horses, goats, donkeys, chickens, and any stray cat that wandered onto the porch could always count on being fed and loved. She enjoyed hiking, camping, traveling (especially cruising), attending live music events, exercising, and taking Ranger rides through the pasture.

Teresa will be remembered for her strength, her stubborn streak, her beauty, her goofy sense of humor, and her deep love for helping others.

A memorial service will be held on January 31 at 2:00 PM at Luella Baptist Church. In honor of Teresa’s youthful spirit and love of color, the family asks that attendees wear something bright and colorful rather than black. We want to celebrate her life exactly as she lived it.

Donations in Teresa’s memory may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance at www.orcahope.org, or with a check to Luella First Baptist Church and put in the memo in memory of Teresa.